LAKEMBA AND SAVU-SAVU. 173 
twenty-five feet high. The latter is convenient and appropriate to its 
purpose, and its floor is covered with mats. At 4 p. m. the hollow log 
drum was beaten for prayers, which the officers attended with Mr. 
Calvert. There were only fifteen persons present. A ‘Tonga man 
officiated, as Mr. Calvert was fatigued with his morning jaunt; and 
the services consisted of singing and prayer. There are about fifty 
resident Christians, nearly all of whom are Tongese, of whom about 
one-third of the population is composed; and they have literally taken 
possession of the island, for they never work, but subsist on the labour 
of the Feejee population, who hold them in much awe. The difference 
between the two races was as striking here as at Ovolau. Heathenism 
is fast passing away at Lakemba, and its absurd rites are held in ridi- 
cule by most of those who are still considered as heathens. The in- 
fluence of the priest is diminished, and the temple or mbure has fallen 
into decay. 
Lakemba is the largest island in the eastern group. It is five miles 
in diameter; its shape is nearly round, with an extensive encircling 
reef. There is an opening, on its eastern side, sufficient for large 
vessels, but dangerous, from the number of coral patches which stud 
it. The town is on the south side, and contains about two-thirds of 
the population of the island, (one thousand people.) 
Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold, with his officers, again visited 
the king, Tui Neau, at his house, which is really very little better than 
a large pig-pen: it is about one hundred feet long by thirty wide, and 
has in it, after the example of the king of Rewa, two old rusty nine- 
pounders, mounted on damaged carriages. There were a great num- 
ber of women about the king, and some chiefs. He appeared to be 
too fat to be able to exert himself. He is about the middle size as to 
height, slovenly in his person and habits, with a dull-looking counte- 
nance, childish in his behaviour, and has been found to be mean and 
niggardly in his disposition. In proof of this character, a few circum- 
stances will be given, which I have from the missionaries, and which 
happened while they resided there. 
On the occasion of some thefts having been committed on the mis- 
sionaries at Lakemba, they made complaint in a formal manner to the 
king. They were shortly afterwards surprised by a visit from a mes- 
senger, with many apologies, and the presentation of five small sticks, 
on which were stuck five little fingers that had been cut off from those 
who had committed the thefts, as a propitiation for their losses! 
A poor man happening to offend a high chief by the name of Togi, 
one of the brothers of Tui Neau, king of Lakemba, the chief in re- 
venge, took his wife from him; but the woman was so unhappy, that 
